Turning control apparatus for vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides a turning control apparatus for a vehicle to improve turning ability and to avoid degradation of acceleration ability. The turning control apparatus comprises: a driving torque controller (31) for adjusting driving torque between a left and right wheels (14L and 14R); means (62) for calculating a necessary yaw momentum value indicating degree of necessary yaw momentum for the turning of the vehicle; and means (63) for clipping the necessary yaw momentum value as a target yaw momentum at a maximum yaw momentum value, which is defined according to difference between the inside-wheel rotation speed and the outside-wheel rotation speed (−), if the necessary yaw momentum value is over the maximum yaw momentum value. The driving torque controller (31) adjusts between driving torque of the left and right wheels (14L and 14R) so as to generate target yaw momentum at the vehicle corresponding to the target yaw momentum value obtained by the necessary yaw momentum value clipping means (63).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] (1) Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a turning control apparatus for a vehicle. [0003] (2) Description of Related Art [0004] Techniques have been developed for improving safety of vehicles by achieving vehicle-stability during turning maneuvers. For example, the following related document 1 discloses generating yaw momentum of a vehicle based on the yaw-rate of the vehicle by controlling the difference in the driving torque between the left and right wheels to control the motion of the vehicle. [0005] [Related Document 1] Japanese Laid-open Publication H09-86378 [0006] However, in reality, it is difficult to generate yaw momentum at a vehicle even if the driving torque difference between the left and right wheels is varied, because the capacity of traction (adhesive friction between the wheel and the road surface) is limited. The capacity of traction is also called as gripping capacity. [0007] Particularly, to prevent ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The present invention has been developed in consideration of this situation, and it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a turning control apparatus for a vehicle, which apparatus is capable of improving turning ability and operatability of the vehicle.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve turning ability and operatability of the vehicle by generating adequate yaw momentum owing to driving torque adjustment between a left wheel and a right wheel based on the rotation speed difference between the left and right wheels.

[0011] Further, it is possible to improve turning ability of the vehicle by generating yaw momentum corresponding to a brake yaw momentum value, which indicates an excess amount of the maximum yaw momentum value in the necessary yaw momentum value, owing to adjustment of the brake force of each wheel equipped with the vehicle.

[0012] Maximum yaw momentum value is decreased according to increments of the rotation speed of an inside wheel relative to the rotation speed of an outside wheel, it is possible to accurately set the maximum yaw momentum value without disturbance of road surface, and accordingly, the vehicle's turning ability is improved.

Problems solved by technology

However, in reality, it is difficult to generate yaw momentum at a vehicle even if the driving torque difference between the left and right wheels is varied, because the capacity of traction (adhesive friction between the wheel and the road surface) is limited.

In this situation, it is difficult to run the vehicle in a straight line due to slip of the inside wheel, and then the degree of over-steering is increased in spite of adjusting the driving torque difference between the left and right wheels to prevent over-steering.

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